The Ethical Teacher

For the last few months, I've been actively engaged in solo training.  For most martial artists, if they train long enough, there will be a period of time where responsibilities or proximity to home schools prohibit regular in-class training.  It's definitely tough.  Of the martial artists I know who have moved away from their home schools, a large percentage end of leaving their training.  It's so easy to do so.  A week without class becomes a month, a year, and then longer.  Solo training has been my biggest test of discipline so far in the martial arts, and it has yielded some interesting thoughts with regards to our responsibilities in the arts, particularly with regards to teaching.

This is my first post in a *long* time.  My main reason for this has a lot to do with solo training.  When you talk about martial arts (or any interest) often enough, germinal thoughts become a lot easier to put into words.  I'd definitely like to write more, but for now, an occasional post will have to do.

My most interesting thoughts recently have been about ethics.  In training, we talk a lot about our individual ethical responsibilities as practitioners with regards to respect and the safety of those around us.  One idea I haven't spent a lot of time talking about is our responsibility as teachers of the arts and the effect those responsibilities have on others.

The following are a few free-form thoughts on the subject.  They are by no means definitive, and for me, they give us a starting point for future conversations on the subject!

Our first responsibility, and perhaps the most obvious one, is related to the safety of those we train with and teach.  The interesting thing about this is that it extends beyond the dojo walls.  Martial artists that are well-trained spiritually, mentally, and physically are instruments of safety and security in the world.  Injuries happen, but the way we handle them translates into how emergent situations are handled by students as well.  Are the injuries taken seriously?  Is there a plan for reporting and handling the situations?  In the schools where I have trained, the answer is yes, and that example not only gives me confidence in a safe environment, but also that my experience and the experiences of my classmates is worth enough to my instructors to take the extra steps to provide that kind of environment.

Our next responsibility is to be the example.  Again, this is an obvious choice, but it has serious implications when taken as an ethical model.  We can wax philosophical about respect, teamwork, the proportional use of force, and many other considerations for as long as we want, but if we are not actively working towards that example, students are not going to take our philosophy seriously.

Here are a few ways we can be a positive example in our teaching:

The ethical teacher is visible, attending as many classes as possible.  It may be necessary for periodic absences, especially in times of major work or personal responsibilities, but when all is tallied, the leaders need to be present.  I think students are reassured when they can count on seeing high ranks in attendance.

The ethical teacher is technical, performing to the best of his/her ability.  There are always going to be physical limitations, but it instills great confidence in students to see technical proficiency in instructors.  I've heard Sensei Hofmeister say time and again, "I'm not the best fighter, but I know how to make you a better fighter."  It's easy to believe a statement like that when instructors demonstrate excellent technique day-in and day-out, and it's easy to trust that teacher to help you improve.

The ethical teacher is inquisitive.  There are many facets to the martial arts, and not everything is going to interest everyone.  But, an excellent teacher recognizes those interests in students and improves his/her understanding in order to provide better individual instruction.  One of my favorite pulpy novel series, The Dresden Files, has many references to teaching after Harry takes on an apprentice about eight books into the series.  Later passages refers to his use of magic that used to be far out of his comfort zone because he learned more to provide his apprentice with a more personalized training regimen.

The ethical teacher in consistent.  Respect, rules, and requirements have to be observed with regularity in order to become part of a school's culture.  Once those habits start to set in, it can be gently enforced from every level of the student body.  That way, everyone know what is expected, and students can experience a truly comfortable training environment.

The ethical teacher is indomitable.  At the end of a particularly tough drill, the instructor is there, sweating with even the most physically fit students.  This is the kind of example that inspired me as a white belt.  Operation Shodan Fit would never have happened if I hadn't experienced hard workouts with my instructors in full participation from the beginning.

As promised, this list is far from exhaustive, but it does start the discussion nicely.  What do you think an ethical teacher needs?

OSU!